Train journeys, spectacular views, unforgettable memories… Whether it’s an express train through the peaks of the Swiss Alps or a line through the glaciers and fjords of Norway, Europe’s best train routes will take you on a spiritual journey and a visual feast. Because train journeys are not just a means to get from one place to another; they are travel itself, an experience where you can enjoy every second of the journey.
Especially on international train routes, the panoramic views through the windows and the delicious breaks in the dining cars offer the perfect opportunity to collect unforgettable memories while traveling. These famous train lines of Europe take you to the places you dream of and make you live, feel, and remember every second of the journey.
Now, pack your suitcase and choose your route. The best train routes in Europe are waiting for you.
Bernina Express (Chur, Switzerland-Tirano, Italy): UNESCO Registered Train Route
Welcome to How to Cross the Alps by Train 101. The Bernina Express, operated by RhB (Rhaetian Railway), starts in Chur (you can also begin your journey in St. Moris) and takes you through the mountainous regions of Switzerland to sunny Tirano in Italy. Even if we say it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we cannot fully describe the magic of this train route because there are unique landscapes that cannot be expressed in words. The train travels through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges across the peaks of the Swiss Alps. The Landwasser Viaduct is an iconic and architectural beauty.
Throughout the Alps, it offers views of snow-capped mountains, glaciers, lakes, and pine forests. Along the route, we recommend taking photos at the turns on the Albula and Bernina lines. Reservation is required for the panoramic car. We also recommend setting off early, as it gets dark early.
The Bernina Express train route includes stops such as Thusis, Filisur, Samedan, Pontresina, Poschiavo, and Alp Grüm. The journey from St. Moritz to Tirano takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes. The return trip takes the same amount of time, so the total duration of the round trip is 4 hours and 40 minutes. If you start your journey from Chur or if you start from Tirano and finish in Chur, the journey will take about 4 hours and 20 minutes.
In addition, Alp Grüm stops for a longer time – about 10 minutes – than the other stops. So it’s the perfect time to take photos.
Glacier Express Switzerland (Zermatt-St. Moris): The Slowest Express Train in the World
Glacier Express, which passes through the most beautiful spots in Switzerland, has a train route between Zermatt and St. Moris. With Glacier Express, you will cross the Landwasser Viaduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 65 meters high with six pillars, and the Oberalp Pass, 2044 meters above sea level.
The first stop of Glacier Express is Zermatt, followed by stops such as Andermatt, Brig, Chur, and Davos. The last stop is St. Moritz. This journey takes about 8 hours. Starting at the foot of the Matterhorn, this panoramic journey will take you over 291 bridges and 91 tunnels to the Engadin lakes near St. Moritz.
To start this train journey, you must first fly to Zurich. From Zurich, you can reach Zermatt by train in 3 hours.
We recommend traveling in a carriage with panoramic windows to catch all the views. In the restaurant car, you can try Swiss specialties. For up-to-date information and reservations, visit the Glacier Express page.
GoldenPass Lines (Montreux-Luzern, Switzerland): Spectacular Passes, Unique Landscapes
GoldenPass offers a train journey from Montreux to Lucerne in Switzerland. The line consists of three different sections in the Alpine foothills. The Luzern-Interlaken Express departs from Lucerne. It offers stunning views of Mount Pilate and Lake Lucerne, crossing the Brünig Pass to Meiringen and Lake Brienz to Interlaken Ost. For the best lake views, we recommend choosing the right-hand seat.
Once at Interlaken Ost, there is the GoldenPass Panoramic Train to Zweisimmen. The train runs along the River Aare from Lake Thun to Spiez, then through the Simmen Valley to Zweisimmen. From Zweisimmen, you can continue to Montreux, the last stop. The train route through the valleys ends at the magnificent Lake Geneva. The carriages of this train, named Belle Epoque, are similar to the luxurious Orient Express. In other words, the wagons are beautiful inside and outside.
While GoldenPass Express offers a direct connection, the classic GoldenPass Line, divided into three sections, is a Swiss experience. You can choose Geneva Airport or Zurich Airport as the closest airport to this line. It takes 1 hour by train from Geneva to Montreux and 50 minutes from Zurich to Lucerne.
Mittenwald Railway (Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany-Innsbruck, Austria): An Impressive One-Hour Journey
The Mittenwald railway, known as the Karwendelbahn, is a short but impressive train route connecting Germany and Austria. It runs from Bavaria’s charming mountain villages to Innsbruck’s elegant valleys. Starting from Innsbruck or Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the train journey takes about 1 hour, passing through intermediate stops such as Mittenwald and Seefeld. It is one of the most beautiful and shortest rail routes in Europe.
Belgrade-Bar Railway Montenegro Express: In Search of Natural Beauty from Serbia to Montenegro
The Belgrade-Bar railway route starts from Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, to Bar, a city on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro. There are 91 tunnels and 435 bridges on this 476-kilometer line. The Mala Rijeka Viaduct, in particular, is a masterpiece in height and engineering. If you don’t feel dizzy when you pass through the tunnels, you can enjoy the scenery the most, thanks to the valleys, mountains, and rivers outside. With stops in Uzice and Podgorica, this route, which takes about 10 hours to complete, promises a long and scenic journey.
Bergen Railway (Oslo-Bergen): A Scandinavian Tale
Norway’s most famous train route runs from Oslo to Bergen. This route takes you from fjords to mountain passes. You can explore Norway’s unique nature during the Oslo-Bergen train journey, which takes about 7 hours with intermediate stops such as Hønefoss, Myrdal, and Voss. You can also get off at Myrdal and transfer to Flåm line for an unforgettable journey surrounded by glacial lakes.
Bonus Eastern Express (Ankara, Kars)
When counting the most beautiful train routes in Europe, it is impossible not to mention Turkey’s unique rail networks. You’ve heard of the Orient Express or added it to your list as one of your travel destinations for the New Year. This nostalgic journey, starting from Ankara and moving to Kars, offers a fascinating experience.
Eastern Express offers two options: Classic Orient Express and Touristic Orient Express.
The Classic Orient Express departs every day of the week and offers a journey with the option of a covered wagon. The Touristic Orient Express, on the other hand, runs three days a week and offers its passengers the opportunity to enjoy nature with longer stopover times. It is also more comfortable as it has sleeper cars. This unique journey, which takes about 1 day, becomes an unforgettable experience with its snow-covered landscapes and fairytale stops, especially in winter, between December and March. However, tickets for the Touristic Orient Express are often hard to find, so making your plans early is a good idea. If you want this experience, you can choose the Classic Orient Express, which runs daily, and plan a comfortable journey with covered wagon tickets.
